As strange as it seems, but the term lockjaw doesn’t literally concern your jaw or any part close to it. As a matter of fact, it’s the technical of tetanus.
Tetanus is one of the most common results happened to kids, and even to adults. That’s because it happens due to an open wound or cut of your skin. Tetanus is considered as bacterial infection in manure, soil and dust which might lead to severe and painful muscle spasms and even death, if left untreated. Tetanus, however, is a preventable disease. Courtesy of tetanus vaccination, millions of people were able to exclude themselves from the 10% to 20% population of death tolls due to tetanus infection.
Simply known as the tetanus, the lockjaw problem can transpire even from a single scratch. However, researchers discovered you are much more exposed to this infection when you are afflicted with deep wounds caused knives and other pointy things. If left ignored, the bacteria can travel through blood and nerves which might cause difficulties of the nervous system. Tetanus produces toxins that stiffen your jaw; hence, the term lockjaw. This primary symptom often comes out after week from getting the cut or wound. Alongside with it are the other symptoms of tetanus infection, such as chronic headache, muscle stiffness, difficulty to swallow, irritability, restlessness and high fever. Severe infection also includes symptoms, like palpitations, high blood pressure and muscle spasms.
Luckily, medical experts released the tetanus vaccination. You get this shot at the shoulder muscle as early as your childhood. If you failed to get one, you may consider the three-dose primary series. The first vaccination is the three-in-one combination called Tdap. This protects you from tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough or pertussis. The other two shots the dual vaccines that both protect you from tetanus infection and Td. Once you get the three-dose primary series, you must get the Td booster every ten years. This maximizes your protection against the possible bacterial infection.
Although cases like this happen so rare these days, you shouldn’t be careless of the infection. Remember that tetanus infection is a lethal burden. Neglecting this infection despite the evident symptoms might put your life at risk. Vaccinations aren’t made for nothing. You should take extra precautions against this infection, too, as much as you consider other bacterial and viral infections, like measles outbreak.
Just like other vaccines, tetanus vaccination has side effects, too. You might experience soreness, body or headaches, redness and swelling at the area of injection and fatigue. Nevertheless, all these side effects are considered temporary. Therefore, they are way better than experiencing tetanus infection.
Setting an appointment with a health expert helps you fight tetanus infection. As early as you visit your personal doctor, thru us, you will discover if you are among those who are allergic from tetanus vaccination. If you are allergic from this medication, you healthcare provider can then give you other alternatives that will support the tetanus vaccination.